But no worries, although very bumpy at times, it is quite a scenic drive

See what I mean?

We reach the Hungduan Information Center in exactly 1 hour. Here in the mountains, everywhere you go, you need to register, register, and register.

Souvenirs

We continue the journey down and stop at this viewpoint for photo ops

View to my left

View to my left-left

Jamie and Frances having fun with their Ifugao costumes and walking sticks

Because I’m too fat the cloth is unusually short, the vendor had to use a laundry clip on me

FAKERS (Trivia: red skirts are for the rich, black skirts are for the poor. I’m poor, so what?)

Oreo gets to be an Ifugao, too

To support the locals, we buy bags of red rice

Hitching is a very common practice in this part of the world. Without your consent, people suddenly climb atop your rented jeep. Don’t worry, they’re harmless. And very patient. These three guys wait in silence while we take gazillion photos.

I don’t know what devil possessed us to ride in this little cage

It is used to transport sacks of rice, cement, and other heavy things (like these two people sitting in it)

It is not really as extreme and exciting as it seems. For a bit more thrill, do what I do and look down the whole duration of the ride. Wheeee!!!

View from the cage

Another view from the cage

And then we start the leg-shaking descent to the Hapao Rice Terraces.

Look at how high the steps are! That’s Nikko with our entourage.

Jamie. And more stairs.

And even more stairs. Frances cries, “Waaaaaaahhhh!!!”

The place is so peaceful

So serene

And the narrow trail so scary to walk on!

Magtanim ay di biro, maghapon nakayuko…

Our tour guide Nora explains that the reddish color of the plant scares away bad vibes like rats and pests. I call it the scarecrow plant.

Didn’t know snail eggs are so pink and pretty

This is our guide Nora, who claims that she is an FBI. Fully Blooded Ifugao. You may contact her at 09202787326.

A bit more balancing skills put into use and then we’re off to lunch

We walk by a stream, the water looks so refreshing

Check out the makeshift bridge. If I have to cross it, I will probably fall and die.

Lunch is at Giovanni’s Resort and Restaurant

Some soup Bananas

Fried porkchop, chop suey and rice Fried chicken, chop suey and rice

And our own baon, SkyFlakes and Connie’s Kitchen Artichoke and Spinach Spread. Yum!

We are the happiest when we’re eating

We climb back up all the stairs at Hapao and also this jeep then we head back to Banaue town proper

Dinner is at Terrace View Restaurant a few steps down from Fairview Inn